Dave's Diary

Prayer

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 133

LORD, help me to live in unity
with all who follow and serve You;
help me to work humbly for unity and peace,
with those who serve You differently to me,
so that I, and they, may walk in the blessings You command –
even life forevermore! Amen

Reading

Mark 9:38-41

‘Do not stop him!’

It’s a straightforward command from Jesus, and one which we who are deeply committed to Christ and to our particular expression of Christianity truly need to take to heart.

It is all too common for Christians to look across denominational divides with distrust and scepticism, as if we are “in” with Jesus and others are not; as if we have a handle on correct doctrine, and others have it wrong; as if our forms of gathering and worship are the most authentic, and others fall short; as if our songs or sermons are better; as if we are more spiritual and in-touch with the Lord, and others are somehow less anointed.

This was the disciples’ mistake in Mark 9:38. Certainly, they were immensely privileged to walk with Jesus and to be with Him day in and day out, but that did not mean that no one else had come to faith or had learned from Jesus how to minister and serve the Kingdom. In fact, whereas they themselves had recently failed to drive out a demon, this unnamed disciple was doing just that. Perhaps their desire to stop him was based more on envy than on some desire for theological purity. But Jesus demanded that they respect this man who was surely their brother in the faith, and rejoice in the good work he was doing for Christ.

This should surely be our attitude too!

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn this declaration over and over in your mind. Keep it in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ:

• I will treat my fellow Christian disciples of other local churches and denominations with love and respect, and rejoice in their good works for the Kingdom.

LORD, help me to live in unity
with all who follow and serve You;
help me to work humbly for unity and peace,
with those who serve You differently to me,
so that I, and they, may walk in the blessings You command –
even life forevermore! Amen.